He survived three tours in Afghanistan, faced death daily in the Special Forces, and still calls violence a tool—and fear a friend. In this raw and explosive episode, Ant Middleton reveals the truth about war, masculinity, mental health, and the cost of living life on the edge.
From climbing K2 and enduring brutal military selection, to serving time in prison and becoming a celebrity entrepreneur, this is not just a story of resilience—it’s a masterclass in leadership, purpose, and facing the darkness within.
Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro
1:51 – Childhood trauma & moving to France
8:06 – Army vs Marines: Choosing the elite path
13:29 – Hell Week & brutal military challenges
19:11 – 3 Afghanistan tours & SAS reality
31:15 – Who has the world’s best army?
34:05 – Mindset under fire
43:03 – Woke trainees vs old-school toughness
46:38 – Why Ant left the Special Forces
50:33 – Aggression as a weapon
56:27 – Civilian life, family & finding peace
01:01:09 – Mental health & addiction
01:07:46 – Prison in 2013: Lessons from rock bottom
01:15:27 – SAS: Who Dares Wins & fame
01:24:38 – Climbing K2 & crying at the summit
01:35:33 – BLM controversy
01:42:18 – What is toxic masculinity?
01:47:51 – Russell Brand & cancel culture
01:49:32 – “Cotton wool” society & resilience
01:52:14 – Is Russia a real threat?
01:53:08 – Business, money & legacy
01:57:13 – Mentorship & real success
02:00:22 – Final thoughts
Follow Ant:
🌐 Website: antmiddleton.com
🎙 Podcast: The Ant Middleton Experience
📖 Books: First Man In & The Fear Bubble
📱 Instagram: @antmiddleton
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Connect with Matt Haycox:
▶ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thematthaycox/
▶ YouTube: Matt Haycox – YouTube
▶ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-haycox/
▶ Website: https://matt-haycox.com/podcasts/
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I’m Matt Haycox—entrepreneur, investor, mentor, and your go-to guy for no-bollocks advice on business and personal growth.
With over 25 years of experience building and funding businesses across industries, I’ve faced it all—wins, losses, and the ultimate comeback story. Through my podcasts, No Bollocks with Matt Haycox and Stripping Off with Matt Haycox, I cut through the bullshit to bring you real, actionable strategies and raw conversations with entrepreneurs, celebrities, and industry leaders.
Whether you’re looking to scale your business, secure funding, or avoid the mistakes I’ve learned the hard way, my goal is simple: to help YOU create YOUR success story.
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